ARRA--Labor

FFIS Reports

Issue Brief 09-06 UI Modernization Included in Stimulus Bill, March 4, 2009

General Information

September 2009: DOL Releases Guidance on Reporting Requirements The Department of Labor (DOL) has released agency-specific guidance on the Section 1512 recipient reporting requirements. The guidance is available at:
http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2792

Workforce Investment Act (WIA)

November 29, 2010: ETA Plans Assessment of State Financial Reports The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) notified states that it will conduct an assessment of state quarterly financial reports for the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Adult formula program. The review is a result of a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that looked at the progress states have made in using ARRA funds by examining both state drawdowns and quarterly financial reports to ETA. Additional details can be found at: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEN/ten2010/ten18-10.pdf

October 19, 2010: DOL Releases Report on Summer Youth Employment Initiative DOL released a report  that documents the implementation of the ARRA summer youth employment initiative in four communities. To access the report, click here: http://wdr.doleta.gov/research/keyword.cfm?fuseaction=dsp_resultDetails&pub_id=2446&mp=y

August 19, 2010: DOL Releases Guidance on Performance Accountability Reporting DOL issued guidance to further clarify changes to performance reporting requirements for Workforce Investment Act and Wagner-Peyser Act programs under ARRA. The information is available at:
http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2937

March 17, 2010: DOL Releases Report on Youth Summer Jobs Initiative DOL released a report on the ARRA Summer Youth Employment Initiative. which analyzes monthly performance data submitted by states and looks closely at the experiences of 20 select local areas. To view the report, go to:
http://wdr.doleta.gov/research/keyword.cfm?fuseaction=dsp_resultDetails&pub_id=2436&mp=y

November 30, 2009: State Data for WIA Summer Youth Posted The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has released state-by-state data for the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) ARRA-funded summer youth employment program.

To view the data, go to: http://www.doleta.gov/performance/monthly_summary.cfm

October 2009: DOL Releases Section 1512 Reporting Requirements Clarifications The ETA at DOL has released two letters of clarification related to its agency-specific guidance on ARRA section 1512 reporting requirements, Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) 09-01. The first clarification, provided in TEGL 01-09, Change 1, describes estimating job creation for summer youth programs. The second clarification, provided in TEGL 01-09 Change 2, describes how states should report on Workforce Investment Act programs that share the same award number, but have different numbers in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). For specific information, link to both letters of clarification at: http://www.doleta.gov/recovery/legislation.cfm

June 5, 2009: WIA Guidance Revisions DOL released a change to Training and Employment Guidance Letter No. 09-08, revising guidelines for negotiating Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Title 1B performance goals and Wagner-Peyser Act performance levels. The guidance can be found at: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=2770

WIA State Plan Requirements The ETA at DOL requires all states to submit a WIA and Wagner-Peyser (Employment Service) State Plan modification describing strategies to respond to the economic downturn and implement the Recovery Act by June 30, 2009. This June 30, 2009, submission will cover the period of July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010. ETA reviews and approves plans within 90 days of receipt of the plan. All state plans can be accessed at: http://www.doleta.gov/USWORKFORCE/WIA/planstatus.cfm

April 15, 2009: WIA Guidance Update DOL has issued a change to previous guidance (Training and Employment Guidance Letter 14-08) for implementation of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and Wagner-Peyser Act Funding under the ARRA. The guidance can be found at: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2741

March 18, 2009: Training and Employment Guidance The DOL's ETA released a Training and Employment Guidance Letter No. 14-08 providing policy guidance on ARRA implementation for Workforce Investment Act and Wagner-Peyser activities: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2728

March 6, 2009: WIA and ES Allotments DOL released guidance that lists state allocations for WIA Adult, Dislocated  Workers, and Youth Activities programs, and Wagner-Peyser Act (Employment Service) under ARRA. The allotments are attached to the guidance and may be accessed at: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2718

March 4, 2009: DOL WIA Notice DOL issued a Training and Employment Notice containing an overview for Workforce Investment Act and Wagner-Peyser funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. To view the DOL guidance go to: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2717.

Unemployment Insurance (UI)

December 12, 2011: Labor Requests Comments on Unemployment Compensation (UC) Evaluation The Department of Labor (DOL) is collecting information from states for a new study evaluating the UC provisions under the ARRA. DOL’s Federal Register notice can be accessed here: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-12/pdf/2011-31812.pdf

April 25, 2011: Labor Releases Report on Implementing ARRA Unemployment Insurance Provisions The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) released an Occasional Paper on the implementation of workforce development and unemployment insurance provisions under ARRA. Click here to read the full paper: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEN/TEN36-10.pdf

May 26, 2010: ETA Releases Guidance on the Federal Additional Compensation (FAC) Program The Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA) released additional guidance to states on the FAC program regarding the application of the "Nonreduction Rule." The guidance is available at: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/UIPL/UIPL24-10.pdf

January 29, 2010: Update on the Status of States in Regard to UI Incentive Payments DOL released a Training and Employment Notice on the status of states in applying for and receiving unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive payments. As of the date of the notice, 32 states had received $2.8 billion in incentive payments. Another $4.2 billion remains available to states that apply for the payments and meet the requirements. To view the notice, go to: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=2851

November 30, 2009: Guidance on Amendments Affecting UI Modernization 'Compelling Family Reasons' Provided DOL released Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL) 14-09, Change 3, advising states on an amendment in the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 (P.L. 11-92) that allows state flexibility in expanding compelling family reasons for separation from employment to include escape from sexual assault, in qualifying for the two-thirds unemployment insurance modernization incentive payments. To read the UIPL, go to: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=2827

October 22, 2009: DOL Issues UI Program Change DOL issued the second change to Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL) 14-09. This change notifies state administrators that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) authorized the collection of materials in support of UI modernization incentive payments, per the request of DOL, and issued an OMB control number for this use. More information can be found at: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/UIPL/UIPL14-09c2.pdf

August 11, 2009: UI Modernization Incentive Payments The DOL published a list of states with approved Unemployment Insurance Modernization Incentive Payments.

The list of approved states and award amounts can be found at:
http://www.workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/laws.asp#FederalRegulations

March 19, 2009: UI Guidance DOL released additional guidance to states concerning Unemployment Insurance modernization incentive payments, state administration grants, and corrects earlier guidance related to relief from interest accrual and payments on advances to state unemployment funds:
http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=2732.

February 26, 2009: UI Federal Additional Compensation (FAC) DOL announced the commencement of the new temporary Federal Additional Compensation (FAC) program, which will provide a $25 weekly increase in unemployment compensation for eligible workers. These extra benefits are 100% federally funded. Extra payments will begin as early as the week of March 1, 2009, for weeks of unemployment effective Feb. 22, 2009. The following links provide further information on the program. 

DOL press release:  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20090196.htm

UI Program Letter No. 11-09 describing program implementation:
http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=2713

UI Program Letter No. 13-09 on state administrative funding for the FAC:
http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=2714  

February 26, 2009: UI Modernization DOL released a program letter on unemployment insurance (UI) modernization, incentive payments, administrative funding and interest on advances. Attachment VII of the program letter lists state allocations of incentive payments and administrative funding. The letter can be found at:
http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=2715

February 23, 2009: UI Extended Benefits DOL issued an Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program Letter on the "Extended Benefits Program - Temporary Changes made by the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act."
http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2712

Other Programs

September 28, 2011: Labor Requests Continued Collection of Green Jobs Fund Data DOL issued a notice in the Federal Register seeking comments on a proposal to continue collecting baseline data in order to evaluate the impact of the ARRA funded Green Jobs training grants. To read the full notice, click here: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-09-28/pdf/2011-24963.pdf

August 29, 2011: DOL Issues Information Request for Green Jobs and Health Care Training Grants Evaluation DOL issued a proposed information collection in the Federal Register to evaluate the implementation of the Green Jobs and Health Care Training Grants originally authorized under ARRA. Click here to read the full notice: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-08-29/pdf/2011-22002.pdf

March 31, 2011: ETA Provides Guidance on Expired Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Temporary Target Groups DOL’s ETA issued guidance to states regarding the expiration of WOTC Temporary Target Groups created under ARRA. The provisions applying to these target groups expired on December 31, 2010. Click here to access ETA’s full guidance: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEGL/TEGL21-10.pdf

January 13, 2011: GAO Releases Report on Employment Training Programs GAO recently posted a January report evaluating how ARRA affected efficiencies in many of the nation’s employment training programs. Click here to access the report: http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-92

August 6, 2010: DOL Releases Guidance Letter forOn-the-Job Training National Emergency Grants DOL released a guidance letter to provide additional details on the one-time availability of On-the-Job Training National Emergency Grants (OJT NEGs) funded with ARRA resources. The letter can be viewed here: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEGL/TEGL04-10acc.pdf

July 14, 2010: DOL Announces Second Distribution of FY 2010 Trade Adjustment Assistance DOL announced $119.6 million in funding allocations for Trade Adjustment Assistance to states to help workers who lose their jobs due to outsourcing and foreign trade. To view the state allocations, go to: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20100985.htm

For more information on the distribution, see: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEGL/TEGL09-09c1acc.pdf

June 25, 2010: DOL announces $75 million for On-the-Job Training Grants DOL announced $75 million in ARRA funds for On-the-Job Training grants to 41 states and the District of Columbia. More information is available at: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20100880.htm

May 24, 2010: ETA Releases Clarification on WOTC Target Group Requirements ETA released a clarification to final guidance to state workforce agencies regarding implementation of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program under ARRA. The guidance is available at: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEGL/TEGL03-09c3.pdf

April 12, 2010: DOL Announces Availability of $90 Million in Additional ARRA Funds for On-the-Job Training DOL released Training and Employment Notice No. 38-09 to announce the one-time availability of up to $90 million in funding for On-the-Job Training (OJT) National Emergency Grants (NEGs) funded through ARRA. These NEG funds will be available for expenditure from the date of award through June 30, 2012. To view the notice, go to: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=2882

March 19, 2010: DOL Releases Updated Information on COBRA Subsidy Extension DOL released updated model notice packages to enable group health plans and employers to provide notice on the availability of the COBRA continuation coverage premium reductions through March 31, 2010. For more information, see: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/cobra.html

March 5, 2010: Final Guidance Issued on WOTC Target Group Requirements ETA issued final guidance, under Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL 3-09, Change 2), to state workforce agencies (SWAs) and employers for the implementation of the ARRA 2009 Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) target groups requirements. To view the guidance, go to: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=2865

March 2010: COBRA Web Page Updated DOL's Employee Benefits Security Administration has updated the COBRA web page to reflect the Temporary Extension Act of 2010. The updated information can be found at: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/cobra.html

January 20, 2010: COBRA Model Notices and Explanatory Webcast Available DOL has released three model notice packages that will enable group health plans and employers to provide notice on the availability of the extension of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) continuation coverage premium reductions under ARRA. The notices have been updated for the extension provisions of the FY 2010 defense appropriations bill. A webcast will be held on January 22, from 1 to 3 p.m. (EST) to help employers, plan administrators, and service providers comply with the notice requirements.

To view the notices, go to: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/COBRAmodelnotice.html

To register for the webcast, go to: http://www.dol.gov/cobra/

January 20, 2010: DOL Announces Nearly $190 Million in State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grants for Green Jobs DOL announced nearly $190 million in green jobs training grants, as authorized by ARRA. To view the awards, go to: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20100078.htm 

January 13, 2010: DOL Awards $150 Million in Pathways Out of Poverty Green Jobs Awards DOL announced $150 million in green jobs training grants, as authorized by ARRA. The "Pathways Out of Poverty" grants - as the group of funding awards is known - are intended to support programs that help disadvantaged populations find ways out of poverty and into economic self-sufficiency through employment in energy efficiency and renewable energy industries. For a list of awards, see: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20100039.htm

January 6, 2010: $100 Million in Green Jobs Grants Announced The DOL announced nearly $100 million in green jobs training grants, as authorized by ARRA. The grants support job training programs in expanding green industries and related occupations. For a list of awardees, go to: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20091526.htm

December 7, 2009: COBRA Information Updated The DOL's Employee Benefits Security Administration updated its "FAQ" page regarding eligibility for the COBRA premium reduction assistance as approved in ARRA: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq-cobra-arra.html

November 20, 2009: DOL Releases Additional Guidance on TAA DOL released Training and Employment Guidance Letter No. 22-08, Change 1 to provide a correction to the formula for calculating the Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance (RTAA) payments and to respond to questions from states about the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program (TAA) under ARRA. The letter is available at: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=2823

November 18, 2009: DOL Announces $55 million in Green Jobs Training Grants DOL announced nearly $55 million in ARRA green jobs grants. The grant awards announced were for State Labor Market Information Improvement Grants ($48.8 million) and Green Capacity Building Grants ($5.8 million). For a list and description of the grant awards, see:
http://www.doleta.gov/pdf/GreenJobs.pdf

November 16, 2009: COBRA Notice Slightly Altered ETA released a Training and Employment Notice (TEN) to one-stop career centers and others concerning COBRA premium reduction and extended eligibility provisions in ARRA. This TEN, No. 14-09, is identical to TEN 42-08, and is repeated because two important groups of addressees have been added. To view the notice, go to: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=2819

October 19, 2009: Report on Green Job Opportunities Vice President Biden unveiled Recovery Through Retrofit, a report that builds on the foundation laid in ARRA to expand green job opportunities and boost energy savings by making homes more energy efficient. The report is available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/Recovery_Through_Retrofit_Final_Report.pdf

October 7, 2009: ETA Issues Guidance for SWAs ETA released guidance announcing the extension of the period granted to state workforce agencies (SWAs) and employers for the uninterrupted use of 2008 Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) processing forms. To view the guidance, go to: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEGL/TEGL03-09Ch1.pdf

September 1, 2009: DOL Guidance on WOTC The DOL released guidance and information on two new targeted groups for the Work Opportunity and Tax Credit (WOTC). Under ARRA, unemployed veterans and disconnected youth who began work in 2009 or 2010 could be treated as members of a targeted group for purposes of the WOTC. The guidance provides information on the timely implementation of eligibility certification for these two new groups. It can be found at: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=2798

August 21, 2009: ETA Technical Assistance Resources ETA at the DOL released a notice that listed resources for technical assistance on ARRA section 1512 reporting requirements for ETA funding recipients. Included isa new ETA mailbox where recipients can submit specific questions on the reporting requirements and process. The mailbox address is: 1512.reports@dol.gov

The notice is available at:
http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=2793

August 14, 2009: ETA Funding Guidance DOL released customized guidance on recipient reporting requirements under ARRA Section 1512 for ETA funding recipients. The guidance can be found at: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=2792

August 11, 2009: Public Housing and Workforce Systems Q&A The DOL published questions and answers about public housing and workforce systems. The Q&As are an effort to provide greater linkages between these systems at the local level, as part of the pilot program funded by ARRA that links public housing residents with local workforce investment boards and their one-stop career systems. The guidance can be found at: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=2790

June 9, 2009: TAA Supplemental Training Fund Distributions DOL released a change to Training and Employment Guidance Letter No. 04-08, explaining a supplemental Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) distribution to states and the formula methodology to be used in distribution.  It also describes the process for states to request additional TAA program reserve funds for training: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2772

May 15, 2009: Trade Adjustment Assistance Program (TAA) DOL issued Training and Employment Notice Guidance Letter No. 22-08 to assist state workforce agencies designated by the governor as "cooperating state agencies" in implementing the provisions of the Trade Adjustment Assistance program. http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2756

Green Job Training Funds DOL issued Training and Employment Notice 44-08 containing the Employment and Training Administration's initial plans for awarding $500 million in competitive green job training funds under ARRA so that interested organizations can begin to plan for the application process.
http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=2755 

March 19, 2009: COBRA DOL released a series of "Q&As" regarding the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and the premium reduction under ARRA. Information on COBRA continuation under ARRA can be found at: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ebsa/EBSA20090301.htm

March 18, 2009: SCSEP Allocations DOL released state allocations for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) and a Training and Employment Guidance Letter (No. 15-08) with ARRA planning instructions for all current SCSEP grantees. The letter also extends the period of performance of current Program Year  2008 grants for an additional six months, to December 31, 2009. Information can be found at:
http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=2730

Community Service Grant instructions and other materials from the Corporation for National and Community Service (including Americorps) can be found at:
http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/recovery/index.asp